Keliikipi has quietly become one of Oregon’s defensive MVPs (video)

The video interview above from media day Monday should give you a good idea about the demeanor of UO junior nose guard Wade Keliikipi.

As opposed to the guy he rotated with at the position last season, the gregarious Ricky Heimuli, Keliikipi is quiet by nature. But at his intensely demanding spot in the middle of the defensive line, his play speaks loudly.

Keliikipi started the final 11 games of 2011, and has played in all 27 the last two years. As he noted in my defensive team story this morning, that gives him experience in a national championship game and a Rose Bowl, which makes for a confident player on a confident unit.

In two years, Keliikipi has 43 tackles. His unbroken streak of appearances was put together despite battling through a shoulder injury that required surgery, and back problems, illustrating his toughness.

He's a quiet guy with a tough name to pronounce, but it's one worth remembering. I've spent the last two years labeling junior defensive end Taylor Hart as the most underrated guy on the team, and now that he seems to be drawing some recognition, Keliikipi might inherit the distinction.